HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Following the three-month investigation that led to her indictment, former Texas Southern University (TSU) president, Priscilla Slade could face a sentence of five years probation to life in prison if convicted.
TSU fired Slade three months ago after the school discovered that she had spent more than $280,000 on various home improvements, including security equipment and furniture for her home, using university funds. A deeper audit revealed that over the span of seven years, Slade had spent up to $650,000 of university money on other private expenses, such as landscaping on her property and other home furnishings.
Indicted along with Slade were the chief financial officer, the senior vice president of administration and the school’s senior safety system engineer for their help in concealing Slade’s misappropriation of university funds.
Slade, who continues to deny the allegations, had never sought approval for any of the expenses from the school, according to university officials. The thousands of dollars she spent were funds intended solely for the school, they said, which warrants a criminal conviction.
